MEMPHIS, Tenn — Monday’s attack at a Memphis Jewish school was targeted and not motivated by hate or anti-semitism, according to a source that spoke with ABC News.
ABC News said Tuesday morning the source told them the preliminary investigation confirmed the accused shooter once attended Margolin Hebrew Academy, and that the attack was targeted toward an official of the school or congregation.
The school released a statement Tuesday morning thanking the "swift response by the Memphis Police Department," and crediting the school's "extensive security measures" with keeping everyone safe.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is investigating after Monday’s incident. Wednesday morning, Aug. 2, it said the suspect remains in the hospital.
The TBI said just before 12:30 p.m. Monday, July 31, a man with a gun tried to get into the school in the 300 block of South White Station Road. Memphis Police said the man fired shots outside the school before driving away in a truck with California tags before officers could arrive. According to the school, he could not enter the building due to the school's security measures. MPD said no injuries were reported.
The truck linked to the incident was found about 1:30 p.m. in the 4800 block of McCrory Ave. near Gary St., according to MPD. The TBI said the driver got out holding a gun, and “for reasons still under investigation,” an MPD officer fired, hitting the man. The truck’s driver was taken to Regional One Hospital in critical condition. No officers were injured.
MPD said bystanders at the Margolin Hebrew Academy were able to provide investigators with the suspect’s picture before he was caught.
In a previous statement following the incident, Congressman Steve Cohen confirmed the suspect was Jewish and a former student at the school.
"I am pleased the academy had effective security and that the police acted quickly to protect students," Cohen said.
Melissa Alexander, one of the founding parents of Covenant Families for Brighter Tomorrows - a group formed after the Covenant school shooting in Nashville, issued the following statement:
“Our family, having lived in Memphis for more than 15 years, is saddened to learn of the incident at the Margolin Hebrew Academy in East Memphis. We and others know too well the pain of a school shooting, especially targeting a specific religious community, and we are grateful that there were no injuries at the school. Yet, this was too close—we need to keep guns away from people who are a threat to themselves or others. This incident underscores the need for action during the coming special legislative session to prevent an active shooting, and we urge the legislature and Governor Lee to find common ground to keep this from happening in our state.”